FSSAI Crackdown: Food Worth Rs 81.8 Crore Seized, 1,100+ Licences Suspended
FSSAI cracks down on food safety, seizing Rs 81.8 crore worth of products and suspending 1,100+ licences in a massive nationwide inspection.
In a massive effort to safeguard public health, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a sweeping nationwide inspection drive, resulting in the seizure of food products worth an estimated Rs 81.80 crore. The FSSAI food seizure drive, conducted between September 1 and November 5, 2026, targeted thousands of establishments to ensure that the food reaching consumers meets strict safety guidelines.
Massive Scale of Enforcement
The operation was a coordinated effort involving FSSAI and various State Food Safety Authorities across States and Union Territories. The scale of the crackdown is evident in the numbers: officials inspected a staggering 56,431 food establishments. This rigorous exercise was designed to root out substandard practices and maintain uncompromising safety standards across the country's food ecosystem.
The Damage Report: Licences and Closures
The FSSAI did not hold back in its pursuit of compliance. The drive led to severe administrative actions against businesses failing to meet the mark:
- Licence Suspensions: 1,133 food licences were suspended.
- Licence Cancellations: 52 licences were cancelled entirely.
- Establishments Sealed: 314 food businesses were sealed shut.
- Legal Action: 410 prosecutions have been initiated against violators.
- Corrective Measures: 10,047 improvement notices were issued to businesses to rectify their shortcomings.
What Was Seized?
The authority seized a total of 3,279.57 metric tonnes of food products. The crackdown covered a wide array of items, many of which are staples or popular treats, especially during the festive season. The seized goods included:
- Dairy products such as milk, paneer, khoya, and ghee.
- Oils and bakery items.
- Sweets, chocolates, and ice creams.
- Namkeen, packaged foods, and festive hampers.
The Science of Safety: Sample Analysis
To ensure the findings were backed by evidence, the FSSAI conducted extensive testing. A total of 43,939 food samples were collected during the drive. Out of these, 23,648 samples have already been analysed. The results were concerning, as 2,273 samples were found to be non-compliant with the prescribed food safety standards.
A Commitment to Continuous Monitoring
Taking to the social media platform X, the food safety regulator emphasized that these decisive actions were necessary to combat substandard practices. The FSSAI has stated that it will continue to collaborate closely with State Food Safety Authorities to ensure a higher level of adherence to safety protocols across the entire food industry.
With the drive coinciding with the festive season—a time when food consumption and gifting peak—the authority's focus remains on protecting consumers from hazardous or substandard food products through ongoing inspections and vigilant monitoring.